Dev shows the re-mastering process of the original Resident Evil remake

Producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi spoke about how they are enhancing the upcoming HD remake of the 2002 remake of the 1996 original Resident Evil game.

OK, this is probably a bit confusing, so let me try to explain things. The original Resident Evil game came out in 1996 on PlayStation 1. It was then ported to several other platforms, including then now defunct Sega Saturn and PC. Later on, in 2002, Capcom ordered a remake, with improved visuals and new gameplay elements and story details. Now, the developer will remaster the 2002 remake with HD graphics and get it ready for a PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC release sometime in 2015.

Hirabayashi explains that the original game is made out of several, different kinds of situations, or cuts. The development team separated these cuts into categories depending on what methods they were going to use to remaster them. For instance, one of the rooms shown in the video is, according to the developer, a pre-rendered 2D image, with effects overlayed. In order to achieve the wanted results, the team had to take out the background, adjust its resolution and then re-create or put back upgraded versions of the effects. The team also had to use certain unorthodox methods in order, for instance, to deal with rooms where the background is not static and the character has to blend with it. You can watch the video below to see exactly how the remastering of the game is being done.

As I stated above, the Resident Evil HD remake is coming sometime next year on PC, PlayStations 3 and 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Codenamed REmake, the game will feature 1080p visuals (not sure about the FPS yet, but will report once the information surfaces) and 5.1 surround sound. Additionaly, the developers added options for analog controls. The game will be released in digital format in North America and Europe. However, Capcom will release a limited retail edition of the PlayStation 3 version, exclusively in Japan.